Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate. I also welcome the launch of the new five-year apprenticeship action plan for 10,000 new apprentice registrations each year by 2025. In his opening statement, the Minister said we are on course to have 9,000 new apprentices. That is important. Many people may not have been aware that there are 67 apprenticeship programmes. That is marvellous. I ask the Minister to provide more information on that and to detail the different programmes. It would be important for us and our constituencies to be able to share this information and let people know what is available.

Everyone learns in different ways. There is a plan to provide a roadmap to a single apprenticeship system. The new supports for employees and apprentices are great. We are in a serious position with apprenticeships because of the delays in programmes and pay and conditions in the early stages of apprenticeships is a huge issue. The other issue I have come across is accommodation. Many apprentices have told me they find it hard to get accommodation.

I welcome the new state-of-the-art apprenticeship facility at the Athlone campus of the Technological University of the Shannon, with capacity for up to 1,000 apprentices a year. However, we need to increase the domestic supply of trades.

We are looking at areas such as nursing, agriculture, construction, hospitality and the motor industry because we are losing a lot of our young people to other countries as a result of pay and conditions. That is something we need to address. I know the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is examining the issue of apprenticeship pay and how to better financially support apprentices.

Apprenticeships should be an option for all, irrespective of background, gender, age. If someone signs up for an apprenticeship, he or she should receive the correct phase of learning. I do not know what happened but I have spoken to people who have left apprenticeships without receiving their qualifications. I do not know the statistics but that issue needs to be addressed.

Apprenticeships should be an option within the national education and training system. They should be transformed into a well established route to a career in niche areas such as craft professions, which are attractive to our employees and learners. I also welcome yesterday's announcement of an expansion in veterinary education to 250 places. That is an important and positive step.

I have met the Minister recently and I spoke to him today about an issue, about which I also spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. In the children's disability network team, CDNT, in Carlow, we have a 50% vacancy rate for occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and dietitians. Members of the Carlow autism group were in the Oireachtas yesterday and I met Down Syndrome Carlow a few months ago. I cannot explain how badly the families felt that their children were not getting the occupational therapists and speech and language therapists they needed. The system is failing them. The fact that the CDNT in Carlow is only 50% staffed is a huge issue. My understanding, having spoken to the Minister and Minister of State, is that there will be an expression of interest for therapists in the next phase. I raise this issue because we have hit a crisis in the children's disability sector. I am meeting families every day and something needs to be done. We need to contact the HSE and bring all of the different Departments together to look at this. My concern is that the only ones suffering here are the children. The reason they are suffering, as the Minister of State knows, is that timing is crucial for a child. Early intervention for a child who needs therapy is of the utmost importance.

I compliment the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Harris, on the good work they have done. I see it myself. Carlow town and Kilkenny city have now become university towns for the south east. I see the changes that is bringing to the people of County Carlow and the surrounding areas. I welcome that.

Our apprenticeships are important. Recruiting through our universities and apprenticeships will be hugely important. I am my party's spokesperson for children. My worry is that if the HSE does not recruit therapists, the children will lose out. I make that plea the Minister, the Ministers of State and the HSE. I am in the community healthcare organisation, CHO, 5 area. I am in contact with the CHO but it is not easy to get people. I find I am constantly going back. I am looking for a forward plan for recruiting more staff in this area. I am sure the Minister of State, with his team in the Department, could find a niche and a way of recruiting in this sector which is on its knees. I know occupational therapists and physiotherapists are doing their best. I am not in any way saying they are not. However, it is very hard to work in Carlow CDNT with a staffing rate of 50%. It is unfair on the staff and the families and children involved. As I said, members of the Carlow autism group were here yesterday to meet the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. This is a priority for me and I know there is good work being done. I ask that we look at this area which is in crisis.

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